The balloons appear to float from outside.

Local 204 recently collaborated with Austin + Mergold on the installation of a storefront display at the Artemide store in Philadelphia. A+M’s winning entry in the AIA Window Display Competition (entitled ‘Floating Lightly’) was fabricated and installed in time for Artimede’s seasonal reception on February 6. Red and white helium balloons are lit from below by linear fluorescent fixtures, “creating a virtual chandelier in each store window. As helium slowly seeps out of the balloons they begin to descend toward the light source, at times becoming secondary point sources of reflected lights, at times coming together as smaller fixtures – and subsequently creating infinite variations of light. This process will take about a week and in the end, the balloons will settle on the light fixtures creating a continuous diffuser for the light that the fixtures emit.”

The installation of the display.

Local 204 floats lightly.

Austin + Mergold's winning competition entry.

The finished SURAL Wall.

Local 204 recently collaborated with Austin + Mergold on the installation of their SURAL Wall at Temple University’s CEA Gallery in the Tyler School of Art in Philadelphia. The Wall features a voluptuous surface of recycled vinyl siding mounted to CNC-milled plywood ribs. At two points, the vinyl surface peels apart, creating a pegboard ‘contemplation seat’ and a backlit ‘display wall’ that exploits the material’s translucency. As an exploration of materiality, surface, and construction, the installation challenges the typical connotations of vinyl siding – developer housing, suburbanization, the American dream – while suggesting new uses for this cheap and ubiquitous material.

The CNC-milled plywood ribs.

Local 204 contemplates the SURAL condition.

(l to r) James Bowman, Jason Austin, Alex Mergold

SURAL Wall Sketch

See austin-mergold.com for more photos and a time-lapse video of construction.

A-Model-in-a-Can

Local 204’s acclaimed Model Shop recently finished A-Model-in-a-Can for Austin + Mergold. Based on A-House-in-a-Can, the model is a finely crafted basswood and acrylic volume inserted into a modified juice can. “The 36′ diameter American grain dryer with 2000 SF single family starter home inside. Instantly assembled off-the-shelf 14 GA galvanized corrugated steel exterior. Optional greenhouse. Buy 5 get one free!!!”

A-Model-out-of-a-Can

Book 2, Plate 19 from A+M's 4 Books of Archiculture